True Culinary Masters Should Ace This Test. Can You?

By: Stella Alexander
Image: PeopleImages/Digital Vision/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Do you love food? If you're like us, you definitely do! How could you not when there are tons of different cuisines to choose from? Some might say that Mexican food is their favorite while others could prefer Italian. Refined palates might put French delicacies first while spice chasers love Jamaican jerk chicken. The fact of the matter is that we might love to eat, but could you prove your skills in the kitchen? Are you a culinary master? Only this quiz will tell!

While most people would probably think they can hold their own in a kitchen, not everyone can be a culinary master! Binge-watching Top Chef or Iron Chef America doesn't mean you qualify as a gourmet chef, but this quiz might! There's an endless list of knowledge and skills that need to be honed to make it in the cuisine world and this quiz. 

Spices are just one aspect where it seems like a toss-up between coriander versus cumin and parsley versus cilantro. It gets deeper when you think about cooking beef options as rare, medium, or well-done. To make it a bit more confusing, could you handle making sure that pasta is perfectly al dente? Do you even know what that means? If you don't, this quiz might give you a slow burn, but if you do, you might be the queen or king of the kitchen.

You know the saying. If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen. We're turning the heat up with this quiz. Let's see if you'll break a sweat.

What is the first thing you should do before you start working with food?

There's no rocket science behind this. When cooking, you should definitely wash your hands to get rid of germs and bacteria before handling food.

What kind of wine should you serve with steak?

If you're serving steak, it is best paired with red wine. Steak goes well with bold flavors like Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.

When you're cooking meat, what should the internal temperature be?

When cooking meat, you run into numerous concerns including bacteria. To cook meat safely, the internal temperature must be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Zest usually comes from what kind of food?

Zest comes from the skin of citrus fruits. Usually obtained from lemon, lime, and oranges, it is grated as a garnish on various meals.

"Al dente" is a term used for what kind of food?

"Al dente" is a cooking term that is applied to pasta and rice. It is an Italian phrase that means "to the tooth." This means that the pasta or rice has been cooked so that it is firm when you bite into it.

If you want to cut food into short, thin strips, what method would you be using?

Julienne is a popular cutting method where they slice the product into thin strips. This is often done on vegetables like peppers or meats like chicken or steak.

At what temperature does water boil?

You'll often find that people boil water and food products to kill bacteria. This can only be done at 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Roux is made from what?

Roux is a name for a mixture that is used in making sauces. It is a combination of flour and butter and is used in sauces like bechamel.

Which of the following methods refers to cooking under direct heat or over coals?

Broil is a cooking method that is done under direct heat. It is suitable for various foods such as meets, shellfish, and vegetables.

What type of food is predominantly made of carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are a major macromolecule and play a huge role in many people's diets. You will find them as the main product of sweets and starches like rice, pasta, and potatoes.

If you want to serve a dessert from France, which one would you choose?

If you're a culinary master, you'd know that French might be one of the most well-known places for desserts. In addition to the popular creme brulee, many sweet lovers like macarons, madeleines, crepes, and chocolate mousse.

Chutney originated in which country?

Chutney is a base made of sugar, vinegar, and a series of spices. It can include other ingredients such as sweet apples or peaches to savory like tomatoes or celery.

Which of the following foods are dairy?

Dairy is one of the major food groups, and includes products that are made from milk. Examples include foods like yogurt and cheese.

How many ounces are in 1 cup?

When cooking, you might need 1 cup, or maybe you'll need half a cup. As a culinary master, you'd have to know that 8 ounces is 1 cup.

Which is bigger?

Teaspoons and tablespoons are popular methods of measuring. When comparing them, three teaspoons are equivalent to one tablespoon.

If you wanted to cut shortening into flour, what tool would you use?

A pastry blender is a tool with "tines" at the end, which are rounded wires. It is used by pressing into the shortening, which separates it into even pieces of flour.

What color is bechamel sauce?

Bechamel is a French sauce that you'd find with dishes like lasagna. It is a white sauce made from butter, flower, milk, salt, and pepper.

Which type of oven uses a fan?

A convection oven is different from a conventional oven in that it uses a fan to move the heat throughout an oven. Convection ovens work faster when cooking foods as compared to a conventional one.

If you were serving Eggs Benedict, how would you cook the eggs?

Eggs Benedict is a popular breakfast dish where the eggs are poached. Poaching eggs is a cooking method where you gently pour a cracked egg into a pan of simmering water.

If you have 3/4 of a cup, how much more is needed to equal 1 cup?

You don't need to be a culinary master, but you do need to understand math for this! 3/4 plus 1/4 will give you a full cup.

Which part of the chicken is leaner?

When it comes to chicken, the breast is the healthiest part. This is because it has the least fat than any other part of the body.

For a source of protein, which of the following might you eat?

Eggs are a good source of protein. While many used to say that the yolk was a bad precursor for cholesterol, egg whites are extremely high in protein.

Why is it important to cut food into uniformly sized pieces?

When cooking, it is important to make sure that all portions of similar food are of the same size. This is so the food can finish cooking at the same time.

What does tempered chocolate mean?

Tempering is a process done to chocolate that requires heating and cooling it. It is done to prevent chocolate from turning gray and for creating a smooth, crisp consistency.

What is another name for green onions?

Scallions are just another word for green onions. Rather than being circular like regular onions, they are white bulbs attached to stalky green/white stems.

Which of these is NOT an ingredient in classic pesto?

Pesto is a popular green sauce that is often served with breads. It is made from salt, basil, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, pine nuts, and grated cheese.

What is "sous vide?"

From what you can take from the question, sous vide is a cooking process where the food is cooked in a temperature-controlled bath within a vacuum-sealed bag. This is often done to meat but can be done to vegetables as well.

Egg yolk, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper are the ingredients for which sauce?

Hollandaise sauce is typically made from egg yolks, lemon juice, salt, and butter. Cayenne pepper and white pepper are often extras.

What is the term used to describe harmful bacteria spreading from raw foods to other foods?

Cross-contamination is when bacteria is transferred from one thing to another. You often hear this when people deal with meat.

Around how long does it take to boil an egg?

This might differ depending on how cooked you want your eggs, but to fully cook an egg, it takes around 12 minutes.

Which level of steak is the most cooked?

You'll find that everyone likes their steak to be cooked to different levels. Rare is barely cooked while well-done is completely cooked through.

Who is the second-in-command in the kitchen?

A sous-chef is the second in command in the kitchen. The title is French for "under chef."

Which of the following isn't poultry?

Poultry can be described as "fowl." While beef would be considered red meat, poultry is chicken, ducks, and turkey.

How many French mother sauces are there?

In the food world, there are five French mother sauces. They are bechamel, veloute, espagnole, tomato sauce, and hollandaise.

What method involves cutting food into cubes?

Dicing is a popular cutting method that ends with chopping the food into even sized cubes. This method also ensures food is cooked evenly.

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